Airfreight chiefs pledged to collaborate more to ensure a more efficient and safer supply chain at the opening day’s plenary session. Delegates also heard the airfreight industry must digitise and work towards a paperless environment to ensure competitiveness, notably for e-commerce, while advanced screening technologies are also vital to make sure there is an efficient and secure network.
TIACA and ICAO outlined their continued plans to work together on a series of initiatives aimed at improving the industry. This includes the development of a new technology platform to support Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) systems, as well as a new Cargo Service Quality Index for measuring cargo performance at the airport level.
The Global Shippers Forum and Cargo IQ have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement the latter’s Quality Management System (QMS) and promote the sustainability of the air cargo supply chain. The MoU is designed to promote the Cargo IQ standards, share information and best practices, identify and promote ways performance data can be better accessible for customers.
In the conference session “e-Business Challenges” opportunities and challenges of e-commerce were discussed. Glyn Huges (IATA) says there is not a lack of technology, but he feels it is more about integrating it to better meet challenges in the supply chain. Jean-Louis Salfati (AF-KLM-Martinair Cargo) says the industry is working in the right way and the main-set to meet e-business is changing. According to Frank Newman (Fedex and TIACA Board Member) the winners are the people that can implement change fast and they will be the overall winners in this sector.
During the session “Manufacturing and market trends that will shake the industry” the major talking point was about 3D printing. It was said that as much as 42 percent of air cargo is at risk from the rise of 3D printing. But there are things you can do to rebalance the portfolio. Also robots play a big part of the manufacturing process. More automation is more likely to move manufacturing on or near shore because cost will be about the same.
Schiphol Cargo will back further projects as part of its Smart Cargo Mainport Program, aimed at finding innovative schemes to improve cargo flow through the Amsterdam hub, underpinned by transparent data exchange. The Program has a steering committee including Schiphol Cargo as Chair, KLM Cargo and Dutch Customs.
The Smart Program projects centre on cargo flows, encouraging cooperation between the different parties in the supply chain, as well as data sharing.
“The insight and learning we are gaining from the Program is open to all Schiphol cargo community members and we are seeking more projects and asking for more innovative ideas.”
Last month, KLM Cargo embarked on a pilot scheme aimed at speeding up and enhancing the efficiency of European supply chains bringing cargo to Schiphol for subsequent international shipment.
The pilot, which kicked off on the route from Frankfurt, Germany, is operated by a consortium which brings together all sectors of the supply chain and includes Schiphol Cargo, Jan de Rijk Logistics, Swissport, Kuehne+Nagel, Cargonaut, and Dutch Customs.
Bron: Air Cargo Week
Bekijk het interview van ACW met Jonas van Stekelenburg, Head of Cargo Schiphol en het persbericht.